Prefabricated fireplace particles

Abstract

A lightweight prefabricated masonry/steel kiva-style fireplace. The firebox is cast in three or more modular sections. The entire inner combustion chamber is lined with split refractory firebrick and an outer shell is lightweight vermiculite concrete. The center firebox section has a semi-circular concave interior and the tubular steel and mesh exterior kiva fireplace stuccoed and plastered frame facade has a semi-circular convex exterior configuration with the appearance of a sculpted adobe fireplace. The firebox damper/anchor plate provides a transition from the masonry firebox to a double-walled chimney system. The firebox can be placed in a room comer or in a chase on a flat wall. It can also be installed over wood floors, in old or new construction.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A modular fireplace apparatus comprising: 
 a firebox comprising:    a base;    a central body comprising pre-cast vermiculite concrete, disposable upon said base, and comprising an inner body wall defining and partially surrounding a combustion chamber, said inner body wall also at least partially defining a box aperture opening into said combustion chamber; and    a smoke plenum section disposable upon said central body, and comprising an inner plenum wall; and    a facade locatable around said firebox to at least partially surround and enclose said firebox, said facade comprising a lightweight frame, said frame defining a facade aperture; wherein said base, central body, and plenum section are modular, said facade access opening is alignable with said box aperture to permit access through said facade into said combustion chamber, and said central body connectable to said base and said smoke chamber connectable to said central body by refractory mortar.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said base comprises pre-cast vermiculite concrete.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said base is generally planar, having sides and a back defined by a single wall defining a substantially arcuate plan profile.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said central body comprises an outer shell comprised of vermiculite concrete.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said inner body wall comprises a substantially arcuate plan profile.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5  further comprising a plurality of lightweight split refractory bricks mounted upon said inner body wall.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a combustible air flume, attached to said base proximate to said box aperture when said firebox is in use, for drawing air toward said combustion chamber.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said flume comprises a vented conduit.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 8  further comprising means for closing a vent in said conduit when said apparatus is not in use.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said inner plenum wall at least partially defines an upper portion of said box aperture.  
     
     
         11 . A modular fireplace assembly comprising: 
 a firebox comprising: 
 a base comprising pre-cast vermiculite concrete;  
 a pre-cast vermiculite concrete central body, stackable upon said base and connected to said base when said firebox is in use, and comprising an inner body wall defining and partially surrounding a combustion chamber, said inner body wall also at least partially defining a box aperture opening into said combustion chamber; and  
 a smoke plenum section stackable upon said central body and connected to said central body when said firebox is in use, and comprising an inner plenum wall, wherein said inner plenum wall at least partially defines an upper portion of said box aperture; and  
   a facade locatable around said firebox, and at least partially surrounding and enclosing said firebox when said firebox is in use, said facade comprising a lightweight tubular steel frame, said frame defining a facade aperture;    wherein said facade aperture is alignable with said box aperture to permit access through said facade into said combustion chamber when said firebox is in use.    
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein said base is generally planar, having sides and a back defined by a single wall defining a substantially arcuate plan profile.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said central body comprises an outer shell comprised of vermiculite concrete.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said inner body wall comprises a substantially arcuate plan profile.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of lightweight split refractory bricks mounted upon said inner body wall.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  further comprising a combustible air flume, attached to said base proximate to said box aperture when said firebox is in use, for drawing air toward said combustion chamber.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein said flume comprises a vented conduit.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17  further comprising means for closing a vent in said conduit when said apparatus is not in use.  
     
     
         19 . A method of assembling a lightweight modular fireplace comprising the steps of: 
 assembling a firebox by: 
 pre-casting a base of vermiculite concrete;  
 pre-casting a central body of vermiculite concrete;  
 stacking the central body upon the base and connecting the body to the base prior to using the firebox, the firebox partially surrounding a combustion chamber; and  
 stacking a smoke plenum section upon the central body and connecting the plenum section to the central body prior to using the firebox;  
   fashioning a facade frame;    locating the facade frame around the firebox, thereby at least partially surrounding and enclosing the firebox; and    covering the facade frame with a stucco.